October 02, 2006

Watch out "Below"

When my 4-year-old son plays on the floor with his trains, I often overhear him say “Thomas did this” and “James did that.” Ask him what’s going on and he’ll respond, “I’m not talking to you, dad.”

I suspect there is more going on in his world than he’ll ever relate. So I try to imagine what he is imagining.

Using rich, easy to decipher photo collages and bold black and white captions, Nina Crews captures another young boy’s fantasy world in “Below.” While the main character’s name is Jack, it could be any young boy.

The story begins with Jack and his action figure Guy exploring the staircase of a narrow house. Like any curious child, Jack wonders what mysterious universe lays below a hole in one of the stairs.

Jack sends Guy on expedition into the much-deeper-than-expected crevice. Jack soon misses Guy, so he launches a rescue mission for his action figure employing his army of toys. All the while, Jack wonders what adventures Guy must be having. The result is a charming story for adults and children.

Crews has several other similar titles, including “The Neighborhood Mother Goose” and “You are Here.” Well, it’s time to go now.

I need to rescue toys my 1-year-old daughter dumped into a desk drawer. Oh Nina, I may have another story idea for you.

I picked this book up at the library and my 20-month old LOVES it! It has great pictures that he enjoys looking at and a nice story to go with it - we have read it so many times that he now has it memorized and can continue on when I pause. My husband and I enjoy reading it too!